The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-27

Steamers Have No Means of Keeping Then
and They Depress PASSENGERS.

Steamers Have No Means of Keeping Them
and They Depress Passengers
New York W orld.
When a death occurs at sea certificate is filed
containing all information to the probable
causes which produced death, and also as to the
manner of dlspcsing of the body The bodies
hours. In bygone times superstition prevailed
among sailors that if dead body were
kept aboard vessel destruction would
be its inevitable doom. but the notion
does not exist among modern sailors Monday
Aug. 8, Rev. B. B. Dayton. of Amboy, n. V
while returning from abroad the Cunard
steamer Etruria, died suddenly and his body
was buried at sea. The action of the officers in
thus disposlng of the body gave rise much ad-
verse criticism. Some of the passengers said
that the services were not of becoming nature
This report has reached the of the dead
mans wife and family and their friends. In
order that the facts of the case might be under
officers of tho shr:
1.-The body was discovered dead in the state
room about o'clock Monday evening. Imme-
dlately the doctor of the ship made it ready for
burial After the usual preparations were COM
pleted the remains were laid out and enshroud-
ed with an English flag, because that contains
cross. Tuesday morning the body was sew ed up
in canvass aud then deposited in wooden box.
covered over with the flag. Solemuly and with
every evidence of respect the remains were car
ried on the shoulders of eight sailors TO
the after-gangway. Chief Officer Seccomb
a humane and Christian sailor, had charge
of the funeral arrangements A few
moments after o'clock Tuesday morning the
ships officers and a large number of the cabin
passengers encircled the body and the funeral
services were conducted by q minister, OF
the passengers. At their conclusion and when
the minister read the words, L now consign this
body to the deep, the box, heavily weighted
down with iron, was slid into the ocean. No
secrecy prevailed and everything done in
proper and orderly manner. being witnessed by
any of the passengers who were SO DESTROYS"
A burial at sea solemn and impressive
event, and not many passengers like to witness
1t. A death at sea casts gloom over the rest of
the passengers and naturally enough the ofic-
ers try to do everything connected with the
burial with as little ostentation and display
possible. On every steamer the custom is
bury the dead at The captain OF the ship ia
the sole arbiter in this matter Whenever it Is
the officers convinced that the body will be
claimed upon its arrival. All firm
supporters of the theory that all persons dying
the high seas. unless short distance from
port, should be given up to the deep. On
heavily-laden steamer room is provided where
dead body could be possibly preserved. The
medicine chest usually carried does not contain
the necessary articles required to embalm a
body.
The French and White Star lines carry metal
lie collins, and when the friends of deceased
person manifest desire are anxious TO
undergo the expense. the body will be preserved
and carried to port if it be done without
danger to the other passengers. Numerous
cases have occurred where men of wealth and
distinction, travelling for their health have been
buried at sea simply because they were unac-
could be obtained. No law exists, as some
steamship men claim, that makes it compulsory
upon the captain of a ship to bury dead body
at